Electronic device of messaging and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device and a display switching method thereof are disclosed herein. The electronic device includes at least one processor, a display module, a touch-sensitive module and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium includes one or more sequences of instructions to be executed by the processor for performing the display switching method. The display switching method includes the following steps: sensing a touch by the touch-sensitive module; counting a time duration of the touch; displaying a list of at least one contact icon by the display module when the time duration of the touch exceeds a first predetermined time period, wherein the list is scrollable for selecting a target icon of the icons, and each icon corresponds to a contact or a group of contacts; and displaying a target chat window corresponding to the target icon.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/972,434, filed Mar. 31, 2014, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a display switchingmethod for an electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

At recent years, due to the advancement of mobile devices and networktechnology, applications of instant messaging have captured muchattention. In addition, since transmission/reception rate of wirelesscommunication is significantly increasing, the applications of instantmessaging are intended to replace regular phone calls as the mediums ofcommunication between people. Nowadays, the applications normallyinclude different types of message transmission/reception, e.g., videostransmission/reception, video transmission/reception, texttransmission/reception, etc., which makes communication between peoplemore diversified.

However, due to the limited input modules, e.g. touch panel, homebutton, volume buttons, etc., and also a limited size of the display,operations of the application programs of instant messaging becomeneedlessly complicated for use. In more details, the operations nowadaysrequire too many procedures. For instance, when a user is intended toswitch from one chat window with a contact A to another one with acontact B, the user is required to return back to the contact list, tofind the contact B in the contact list and to touch an iconcorresponding to the contact B.

As a result, there is a need to provide a more intuitional electronicdevice and method thereof to assist the user in switching from one chatwindow to another one.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic deviceincludes at least one processor, a display module, a touch-sensitivemodule and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium includes one or more sequences of instructionsto be executed by the processor for performing a method. The methodincludes the following steps: sensing a touch by the touch-sensitivemodule; counting a time duration of the touch; displaying a list of atleast one contact icon by the display module when the time duration ofthe touch exceeds a first predetermined time period, in which the listis scrollable for selecting a target icon of the at least one icon, andeach icon corresponds to a contact or a group of contacts; anddisplaying a target chat window corresponding to the target icon.

The disclosure provides a display switching method which is suitable foran electronic device. The display switching method includes thefollowing steps: sensing a touch by a touch-sensitive module of theelectronic device; counting a time duration of the touch; displaying alist of at least one contact icon by a display module of the electronicdevice when the time duration of the touch exceeds a first predeterminedtime period, wherein the list is scrollable for selecting a target iconof the icons, and each icon corresponds to a contact or a group ofcontacts; and displaying a target chat window corresponding to thetarget icon.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are by examples, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the followingdetailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to theaccompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electronic deviceaccording to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrated a messaging method according to oneembodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C are a series of operation flow diagrams of the electronicdevice according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4D are a series of operation flow diagrams of the electronicdevice according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5D are a series of operation flow diagrams of the electronicdevice according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating further steps of the messagingmethod according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7D are a series of schematic diagrams illustrating userinterfaces on the touch display panel of the electronic device accordingto one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electronic deviceaccording to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrated a display switching methodaccording to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10E are a series of operation flow diagrams of the electronicdevice according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11E are a series of operation flow diagrams of the electronicdevice according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 12A-12E are a series of operation flow diagrams of the electronicdevice according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of thedisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating anelectronic device 100 according to one embodiment of this disclosure.The electronic device 100 includes a processing module 102, a storagemodule 104, a touch-sensitive module 106, a display module 108, an inputmodule 110 and a network module 112. The processing module 102, thestorage module 104, the touch-sensitive module 106, the display module108, the input module 110 and the network module 112 are electricallycoupled.

The processing module 102 comprises at least one processor. Theprocessor is configured to load and execute at least one program codefrom the storage module 104. In addition, the processing module 102 isconfigured to receive signals transmitted from the touch-sensitivemodule 106 and from the input module 110 respectively, and theprocessing module 102 is also configured to transmit signals to thetouch-sensitive module 106, the display module 108 and the input module110 respectively.

In some embodiments, the processing module 102 is configured to load andexecute another program code from an externally connected device.

The storage module 104 is configured to store at least one program code,in which the program code comprises one or more sequences ofinstructions.

The touch-sensitive module 106 is configured to sense a touch from auser and to transmit the signal corresponding to the touch to theprocessing module 102.

The display module 108 is configured to display images or videosaccording to display signals transmitted from the processing module 102.

In some embodiments, the display module 108 and the touch-sensitivemodule 106 may be integrated into a touch-sensitive display unit, inwhich the touch-sensitive display unit may be a touch display panel.

The input module 110 is configured to record a message, in which themessage may be a voice message, an audio message, a video message or atext message. When the input module 110 records the message completely,the input module 110 transmits the message back to the processing module102. In some embodiments, the text message is converted from anothervoice message by a voice recognition program, in which the input modulerecords another voice message.

In some embodiments, the input module 110 comprises at least onemicrophone, at least one image capturing element, at least one videocapturing element, a keyboard or a touch pad.

In some embodiments, the input module 110 may be the touch-sensitivemodule 106.

In some embodiments, the input module 110 may transmit the message tothe network module 112 directly.

The network module 112 is configured to transmit or receive data througha wireless or wired network. In the present embodiment, the networkmodule 112 is configured to transmit the message, which is recorded bythe input module 112 or further processed by the voice recognitionprogram.

In some embodiments, the network module 112 is configured to transmit anencoded data corresponding to the message.

Reference is also made to FIG. 2, which is a flow diagram of a messagingmethod 200 according to one embodiment of this disclosure isillustrated. The processing module 102 performs the messaging method 200by executing one or more sequences of instructions corresponding to aprogram code stored in the storage module 104.

In step S201, the display module 108 displays a contact list includingat least one contact icon, in which the contact icon corresponds tocontact information of a contact or of a group of contacts.

In some embodiments, the contact list may be a chat history list or afavorite contact list.

In step S202, the touch-sensitive module 106 senses a first touchcorresponding to one of the contact icons (i.e., a first contact icon)displayed on the display module 108 while a first application program isexecuted on the electronic device. If the first touch on the firstcontact icon is detected, a touch signal is fed back to the processingmodule 102, and the flow goes to step S203. If no touch is detected, theflow goes to step S201. The first application program in this embodimentis an instant messaging program, a contact list program, or any socialnetworking program which involves/records the contact information(emails, personal identifications, and instant messaging accounts) ofusers, and the contact icons are icons displayed on the user interfaceof the first application program.

In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive module 106 may sense multipletouches corresponding to multiple contact icons displayed on the displaymodule 108, and touch signals are fed back to the processing module 102if the touches on the multiple contact icons are detected.

In step S203, the processing module 102 receives the touch signalcorresponding to the first touch on the first contact icon, and theprocessing module 102 begins counting a time duration of the firsttouch.

In step S204, the touch-sensitive module 106 detects whether the firsttouch is continuous on the first contact icon and whether the timeduration of the first touch exceeds a first predetermined time period.In step 204 a, if the first touch is released, the flow goes to stepS207. If the first touch is continuous on the first contact icon, theflow goes to step S204 b. In step S204 b, the processing module 102determines whether the time duration exceeds the first predeterminedtime period. If the time duration does not exceed the firstpredetermined time period, the processing module 102 keeps counting thetime duration of the first touch, and the flow stays in step S204. Ifthe time duration exceeds the first predetermined time period, the flowgoes to step S205.

In some embodiments, operations of the step S204 a and step S204 b maybe implemented simultaneously. For example, a first index is set to bevalid by the processing module 102 when the touch-sensitive module 106detects that the first touch is continuous on the first contact icon,and a second index is set to be valid by the processing module 102 whenthe time duration of the first touch exceeds the first predeterminedtime period, in which the first index and the second index areconfigured to determine states of the first touch. Accordingly, in stepS204, when the first index is invalid, the flow goes to step S207. Ifthe first index and the second index are valid and invalid respectively,the flow stays in step S204. If the first index and the second index areboth valid, the flow goes to step S205.

In some embodiments, if the time duration exceeds the firstpredetermined time period, the first contact icon is highlighted, andthe other contact icons (i.e., second contact icons) of the contact listis dimmed.

In some embodiments, a timer in the electronic device 100 may count thetime duration of the first touch.

In step S205, the processing module 102 sends at least one controlsignal to the input module 210 so as to record a message. The type ofthe message may be predetermined by a user or be defaulted as one of thevoice message, the audio message, the video message and the textmessage.

In some embodiments, the text message is converted from another voicemessage by a voice recognition program. The voice recognition programmay be stored in the storage module 104 and be executed by theprocessing module 102.

In some embodiments, the message is continuously recorded and the timeduration is continuously counted until the touch-sensitive module 106detects that the first touch is released. That is, when the first touchis released, the time duration is no longer counted, and a recordingtime duration of the message becomes the time duration of the firsttouch minus the first predetermined time period.

In some embodiments, the message is continuously recorded until the timeduration exceeds a second predetermined time period, which means thatthe recording time duration of the message is the second predeterminedtime period minus the first predetermined time period.

In some embodiments, the message is recorded until the touch-sensitivemodule 106 detects another touch corresponding to a confirm icondisplayed on the display module 108, or when the processing module 102detects a press on a physical button of the electronic device 100. Itshould be understood that the time duration of the first touch is nolonger counted when the message is confirmed. Accordingly, the recordingtime duration of the message is the time gap between two touches (or thetime gap between the touch and the press) the first predetermined timeperiod.

In step S206, when the message is recorded completely by the inputmodule 110, the processing module 102 sends at least one control signalto the network module 112 so as to send the message according to contactinformation corresponding to the first contact icon.

In some embodiments, the message is sent when the touch-sensitive module106 detects that the first touch is released.

In some embodiments, the message is sent when the time duration exceedsthe second predetermined time period.

In some embodiments, the message is sent when the touch-sensitive module106 detects another touch corresponding to a confirm icon on the displaymodule 108, or when the processing module 102 detects a press on aphysical button of the electronic device 100.

In step S207, the display module 108 displays a chat windowcorresponding to the first contact icon.

In some embodiments, when the touch-sensitive module 106 senses multipletouches corresponding to multiple contact icons displayed on the displaymodule 108, the messaging method 200 is also suitable for the touches.For example, when multiple touches on different contact icons aresimultaneously detected by the touch-sensitive module 106, theprocessing module 102 begins counting plural time durations of themultiple touches. When each of the plural time durations exceeds thefirst predetermined time, the input module 110 is configured to recordthe message. Once the message is recorded completely, the message issent according to the contact information corresponding to the contacticons where the touches locate.

Based on the aforesaid embodiments, the electronic device 100 and themessaging method 200 provide a more intuitional operation for users tosend the message. Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-5D for illustratingmultiple embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a series of operation flow diagrams of theelectronic device 100 according to one embodiment of this disclosure areillustrated. In the present embodiment, the display module 108 and thetouch-sensitive module 106 are integrated into a touch display panel310. The touch display panel 310 displays a plurality of contact icons311-316.

In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive module 106 and the displaymodule 108 may be modules separately disposed in the electronic device100. For example, a touch pad and a display screen are separatelydisposed in a notebook.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a user touches the contact icon 315 on the touchdisplay panel 310, and the processing module 102 is configured to begincounting a time duration of the touch.

Afterward, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the time duration of the touchexceeds a first predetermined time period, the contact icon 315 ishighlighted, the remaining contact icons 311-314 and 316 are dimmed, andthe input module 110 of the electronic device 100 begins recording amessage.

In some embodiments, when the time duration of the touch first exceedsthe first predetermined time period, the touch display panel 310displays a notification for a third predetermined time period, e.g., 1second. When the third predetermined time period is reached, the inputmodule 110 begins recording the message.

In some embodiments, when the time duration of the touch first exceedsthe first predetermined time period, a speaker module of the electronicdevice 100 outputs a notification sound for a fourth predetermined timeperiod, e.g., 0.5 seconds. When the fourth predetermined time period isreached, the input module 110 begins recording the message.

In some embodiments, when the time duration of the touch first exceedsthe first predetermined time period, a vibration module of theelectronic device 100 vibrates for a fifth predetermined time period,e.g., 0.5 seconds. When the fifth predetermined time period is reached,the input module 110 begins recording the message.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3C, the touch is released. When the touchdisplay panel 310 detects that the touch is released, the time durationis no longer counted, and the message is recorded completely and sentaccording to the contact information corresponding to the contact icon,in which a recording time duration of the message is the time durationof the touch minus the first predetermined time period. Meanwhile, thecontact icons 311-316 are reset to their original state. In the presentembodiment, the contact icon 315 is no longer highlighted, and theremaining contact icons 311-314 and 316 are no longer dimmed.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, a series of operation flow diagrams of theelectronic device 100 according to one embodiment of this disclosure areillustrated. In the present embodiment, the display module 108 and thetouch-sensitive module 106 are also integrated into a touch displaypanel 310. The touch display panel 310 displays a plurality of contacticons 411-416.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a user touches the contact icon 415 on the touchdisplay panel 310, and the processing module 102 of the electronicdevice 100 is configured to begin counting a time duration of the touchon the contact icon 415.

Afterward, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the time duration of the touchexceeds a first predetermined time period, the contact icon 415 ishighlighted, the remaining contact icons 411-414 and 416 are dimmed bythe processing module 102, and the input module 110 of the electronicdevice 100 begins recording a message.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, the touch is released. When the touchdisplay panel 310 detects that the touch is released, the input module110 stops recording the message, and the time duration of the touch isno longer counted. In other words, the message is recorded completely,and a recording time duration of the message is the time duration minusthe first predetermined time period. Meanwhile, the contact icon 415acts as a confirmation icon.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 4D, the touch display panel 310 detects thatthe contact icon 415 (acting as the confirmation icon) is pressed by theuser for confirming the message, and the message is sent according tocontact information corresponding to the contact icon 415.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, a series of operation flow diagrams of theelectronic device 100 according to one embodiment of this disclosure areillustrated. In the present embodiment, the display module 108 and thetouch-sensitive module 106 are also integrated into a touch displaypanel 310. The touch display panel 310 displays a plurality of contacticons 511-516.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a user touches the contact icon 515 on the touchdisplay panel 310, and the processing module 102 is configured to begincounting a time duration of the touch on the contact icon 515.

Afterward, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the time duration of the touchexceeds the first predetermined time period, the contact icon 515 ishighlighted, the remaining contact icons 511-514 and 516 are dimmed, andthe input module 110 of the electronic device 100 begins recording amessage.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5C, the touch is released. Compared tothe state in FIG. 4C, the input module 110 of the electronic device 100in FIG. 5C keeps recording the message. In other words, the message iscontinuously recorded. Meanwhile, the contact icon 515 acts as aconfirmation icon.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 5D, the touch display panel 310 detects thatthe contact icon 515 (the confirmation icon) is pressed by the user forconfirming the message, and the message is recorded completely and sentaccording to contact information corresponding to the contact icon 515,in which a recording time duration of the message is the time gapbetween the touch and the press minus the first predetermined timeperiod.

The messaging method 200 in aforesaid embodiments is utilized to sendout a message in a quick and intuitional way. The users can easily sendtheir message without complex operations (e.g., searching for target ina contact list, selecting the target, calling out a virtual keyboard,typing on the virtual keyboard, clicking on the sending button, etc.).However, the messaging method 200 in this disclosure is not limited tosend the message out.

Reference is also made to FIG. 6, which is a flow diagram illustratingfurther steps of the messaging method 200 according to one embodiment ofthis disclosure. The processing module 102 performs the messaging method600 by executing one or more sequences of instructions corresponding toa program code stored in the storage module 104. Further steps of themessaging method 200 shown in FIG. 6 are related to quickly reply theincoming message.

As shown in FIG. 6, in response to an incoming message is received bythe electronic device 100 while the electronic device 100 is in astandby mode (e.g., the display module 108 is turned off or dimmed down)or currently executing a second application program, steps S601-S606 areexecuted to reply the incoming message. In this embodiments, the secondapplication program different from the first application program. Forexample, the second application program can be any application programon the electronic device other than the instant messaging program (i.e.,the first application program).

Reference is also made to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D, which are a series ofschematic diagrams illustrating user interfaces on the touch displaypanel 310 of the electronic device 100 according to one embodiment ofthis disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the electronic device 100 is in a standby mode. Inthis case, the touch display panel 310 is turned off (or dimmed down).

In response to the incoming message MSGin is received, step S601 isexecuted to display a notification NOTI for indicating the incomingmessage MGGin on the display module (i.e., the touch display panel 310)of the electronic device 100 as shown in FIG. 7B. The incoming messageMSGin can be an instant message sent from another electronic device tothe electronic device 100. The notification NOTI showstext/image/voice/video contents of the incoming message MSGin and/or athumbnail image of the original sender.

In some embodiments, the incoming message may be received directly bythe electronic device 100 (e.g., the wearable device, portable device oraccessory). In some embodiments, the incoming message MSGin may be firstreceived by another mobile device, and the mobile device sent theincoming message to the electronic device 100 through a short-rangecommunication network (e.g., Bluetooth).

Step S602 is executed for sensing a second touch (as shown in FIG. 7C)corresponding to the notification NOTI displayed on the touch displaypanel 310. In this embodiment, there is a virtual button VB displayed onthe touch display panel 310. If the user tends to reply the incomingmessage MSGin, the user can touch and hold on the virtual button VB. Insome other embodiments, the touch on the virtual button VB can bereplaced on a manipulation on a physical button. Step S602 is executedfor sensing the second touch (on the virtual button VB) corresponding tothe notification NOTI displayed on the touch display panel 310.

In some embodiments, the user can remove the notification NOTI bysliding down on the screen of the electronic device 100, such that thenotification NOTI on the electronic device 100 can be removed.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7C, step S603 is executed for counting atime duration of the second touch on the virtual button VB correspondingto the notification NOTI.

In step S604, the touch-sensitive module 106 (i.e., the touch displaypanel 310) detects whether the second touch is continuous on the virtualbutton VB and whether the time duration of the second touch exceeds athird predetermined time period. In step S604 a, if the second touch isreleased, the flow goes to step S607. If the second touch is continuouson the virtual button VB, the flow goes to step S604 b. In step S604 b,the processing module 102 determines whether the time duration exceedsthe third predetermined time period. If the time duration does notexceed the third predetermined time period, the processing module 102keeps counting the time duration of the second touch, and the flow staysin step S604. If the time duration exceeds the third predetermined timeperiod, the flow goes to step S605.

In step S605, the processing module 102 sends at least one controlsignal to the input module 110 so as to record a reply message. Thedetails of step S605 is similar to step S605 of recording the message inaforesaid embodiments.

In some embodiments, the reply message is continuously recorded and thetime duration is continuously counted until the touch-sensitive module106 detects that the second touch is released.

In some embodiments, the message is continuously recorded until the timeduration exceeds a fourth predetermined time period. Recording timeduration of the reply message is the fourth predetermined time periodminus the third predetermined time period.

In some embodiments, the message is recorded until the touch-sensitivemodule 106 detects another touch corresponding to a confirm icondisplayed on the display module 108, or when the processing module 102detects a press on a physical button of the electronic device 100. Itshould be understood that the time duration of the first touch is nolonger counted when the message is confirmed.

In step S606, in response to the reply message is recorded, theprocessing module 102 sends at least one control signal to the networkmodule 112 so as to send the reply message according to contactinformation corresponding to the incoming message MSGin. Therefore, thereply message can be sent to the original sender of the incoming messageMSGin.

In response to the reply message is sent in step S606, step S608 isexecuted such that the electronic device 100 returns to the standby modeor resumes executing the second application program (before the incomingmessage MSGin is received).

In step S607, the display module 108 (i.e., the touch display panel 310)displays a chat window corresponding to the incoming message MSGin.

From the features above, a reply of the message to the contact sendingthe message is easily achieved without complicated procedures. In someembodiments, the reply message is compared with voiceprints beforesending out the reply message. In some embodiments, the long press(i.e., the second touch) is compared with fingerprints before sendingout the reply message. In this case, the long press (i.e., the secondtouch) is manipulated on a physical button having a function offingerprint identification.

In some embodiments, the reply message is compared with voiceprints, andthe long press is compared with fingerprints before sending out thereply message, in which the two comparisons mentioned may be implementedon the electronic device or mobile device.

The messaging methods mentioned in embodiments may take the form of aprogram code stored on a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. Any suitablestorage medium (such as non-transitory medium) may be used includingnon-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM), programmable readonly memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), andelectrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) devices;volatile memory such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), and double data rate random access memory(DDR-RAM); optical storage devices such as compact disc read onlymemories (CD-ROMs) and digital versatile disc read only memories(DVD-ROMs); and magnetic storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDD)and floppy disk drives.

Based on the aforesaid embodiments, the operation of the electronicdevice and the messaging method does not only become more intuitionalbut also requires fewer steps for sending the message.

Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating anelectronic device 800 according to one embodiment of this disclosure.The electronic device 800 includes a processing module 802, a storagemodule 804, a touch-sensitive module 806, a display module 808 and anetwork module 810. The processing module 802, the storage module 804,the touch-sensitive module 806, the display module 808 and the networkmodule 810 are electrically coupled with each other.

The processing module 802 comprises at least one processor. Theprocessor is configured to load and execute at least one program codefrom the storage module 804. In addition, the processing module 802 isconfigured to receive signals transmitted from the touch-sensitivemodule 806, and the processing module 802 is also configured to transmitsignals to the touch-sensitive module 806 and the display module 808respectively.

In some embodiments, the processing module 802 is configured to load andexecute another program code from an externally connected device.

The storage module 804 is configured to store at least one program code,in which the program code includes one or more sequences ofinstructions.

The touch-sensitive module 806 is configured to sense at least one touchand to transmit a touch signal corresponding to the touch to theprocessing module 802. The touch signal may include a position of thetouch.

The display module 808 is configured to display images or videosaccording to display signals transmitted from the processing module 802.

In some embodiments, the display module 808 and the touch-sensitivemodule 806 may be integrated into a touch-sensitive display unit, inwhich the touch-sensitive display unit may be a touch display panel.

The network module 810 is configured to transmit or receive data througha wireless or wired network.

Referring also to FIG. 9, a flow diagram of a display switching method900 according to one embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated. Theprocessing module 802 performs the display switching method 900 byexecuting one or more sequences of instructions corresponding to aprogram code stored in the storage module 804.

In step S901, the display module 808 displays an original chat windowcorresponding to an original contact icon, in which the original contacticon corresponds to a contact or a group of contacts.

In step S902, the touch-sensitive module 806 senses whether a touch ison the touch-sensitive module 806. If the touch-sensitive module 806senses no touches, the flow goes to step S901 to display the originalchat window. If the touch-sensitive module 806 senses that the touch ison the touch-sensitive module 806, a touch signal is fed back to theprocessing module 802, and the flow goes to step S903.

In some embodiments, when the display module 808 displays the originalchat window, the original chat window includes an original contact icondisplayed on the display module 808. The touch-sensitive module 806 onlysenses the touch which is on a position of the touch-sensitive module806 not corresponding to the original contact icon.

In step S903, the processing module 802 receives the touch signalcorresponding to the touch, and the processing module 802 beginscounting a time duration of the touch.

In step 904, the touch-sensitive module 806 detects whether the touchremains on the touch-sensitive module 806 and whether the time durationof the touch exceeds a first predetermined time period. In step 904 a,if the touch is released from the touch-sensitive module 806, the flowgoes back to step S901. If the touch is continuous on thetouch-sensitive module 806, the flow goes to step S904 b. In step S904b, the processing module 802 determines whether the time duration of thetouch exceeds the first predetermined time period. If the time durationdoes not exceed the first predetermined time period, the processingmodule 802 keeps counting the time duration of the touch, and the flowstays in step S904. If the time duration exceeds the first predeterminedtime period, the flow goes to step S905.

In some embodiments, operations of the step S904 a and step S904 b maybe implemented simultaneously. For example, a first index is set to bevalid by the processing module 802 when the touch-sensitive module 806detects that the touch is continuous, and a second index is set to bevalid by the processing module 802 when the time duration of the touchexceeds the first predetermined time period, in which the first indexand the second index are configured to determine states of the touch.Accordingly, in step S904, when the first index is invalid, the flowgoes to step S901. If the first index and the second index are valid andinvalid respectively, the flow stays in step S904. If the first indexand the second index are both valid, the flow goes to step S905.

In some embodiments, a timer in the electronic device 800 may count thetime duration of the touch.

In step S905, the display module 808 displays a list of at least onecontact icon for selecting a target contact icon, in which the list isshown in a vertical format, a horizontal format, a diagonal format or amatrix format, and the list is scrollable in a vertical direction, ahorizontal direction, a diagonal direction or a 2-dimensional direction.In the present embodiment, the target contact is located at the centerof the list. For example, if the list including multiple contact iconsis shown in a vertical format, the target contact icon is a centralcontact icon of list.

In some embodiments, each contact icon may correspond to a frequentcontact, a frequent group of contacts, a recent contact, a recent groupof contacts, a favorite contact or a favorite group of contacts.

In some embodiments, the center of the list is displayed at the centerof the display module 808, on a first position of the display module 808corresponding to where the touch is first sensed or on a second positionof the display module 808 corresponding to where the touch is sensedwhen the time duration of the touch is equal to the first predeterminedtime period.

In some embodiments, the screen of the display module is divided into aplurality of intervals along a 2-dimensional direction, and the list isscrolled according to the movement corresponding to the touch across theintervals.

In some embodiments, the list is scrolled automatically in a certainspeed.

In step S906, if the touch-sensitive module 806 senses that the touch iscontinuous on the touch-sensitive module 806, the flow stays in the stepS906. If the touch-sensitive module 806 senses that the touch isreleased from the touch-sensitive module 806, the flow goes to stepS907. In other words, in step S906, when the touch is continuous on thetouch-sensitive module 806, the touch is configured to select the targetcontact icon. On the other hand, when the touch is released, the centralcontact icon of the at least one contact icon in the list is selected asthe target contact icon.

In step S907, the display module 808 displays another chat windowcorresponding to the target contact icon.

Based on the aforesaid embodiments, the electronic device 800 and themessaging method 900 provide a more intuitional operation for users toswitch between different contact windows.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A-12E for illustrating more embodimentsof the disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 10A-10E, a series of operationflow diagrams of the electronic device 800 according to one embodimentof this disclosure are illustrated. In the present embodiment, thedisplay module 808 and the touch-sensitive module 806 are integratedinto a touch display panel 812.

In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive module 806 and the displaymodule 808 may be modules separately disposed in the electronic device800. For example, a touch pad and a display screen are separatelydisposed in a notebook.

In FIG. 10A, the touch display panel 812 displays a plurality of contacticons A11-A16, and the touch display panel 812 senses a touch on thecontact icon A13 from a user.

Subsequently, in FIG. 10B, the touch display panel 812 displays a chatwindow corresponding to the contact icon A13. The touch display panel812 senses a touch on a position A20 of the touch display panel 812, andthe processing module 802 of the electronic device 800 begins counting atime duration of the touch on the position A20 of the touch displaypanel 812.

When the time duration of the touch on the position A20 exceeds thefirst predetermined time period, the chat window corresponding to thecontact icon A13 is dimmed, and the touch display panel 812 displays ascrollable list A30 of contact icons A11-A15 for selecting a targetcontact icon as shown in FIG. 10C, in which the scrollable list A30 isshow in a vertical format. In the present embodiment, the contact iconA13 corresponding to the chat window shown in FIG. 10B, is displayed atthe center of the scrollable list A30.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the touch from the user is moving up so as toselect the target contact icon. In the present embodiment, the movementof the contact icons in the scrollable list A30 is in a same directionof the movement corresponding to the touch.

Accordingly, in FIG. 10D, the central contact icon of the scrollablelist A30 becomes the contact icon A14 due to the movement of the touch.In other words, the target contact icon becomes the contact icon A14.

At last, in FIG. 10E, since the touch display panel 812 senses that thetouch is released by the user, the touch display panel 812 displays acontact window corresponding to the target contact icon, i.e., contacticon A14.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11E, a series of operation flow diagrams of theelectronic device 800 according to one embodiment of this disclosure areillustrated. In the present embodiment, the display module 808 and thetouch-sensitive module 806 are also integrated into a touch displaypanel 812.

In FIG. 11A, the touch display panel 812 displays a plurality of contacticons B11-B16, and the touch display panel 812 is configured to senseone or more touches. In the present embodiment, when the touch displaypanel 812 senses a touch on the contact icon B13, the touch displaypanel displays a chat window as shown in FIG. 11B.

In FIG. 11B, the touch display panel 812 displays the chat windowcorresponding to the contact icon B13. Later, the touch display panel812 senses a touch on a position B20 of the touch display panel 812, andthe processing module 802 of the electronic device 800 begins counting atime duration of the touch on the position B20 of the touch displaypanel 812. When the time duration of the touch on the position B20exceeds the first predetermined time period, the chat window shown inFIG. 11B is dimmed, and a scrollable list B30 is shown as in FIG. 11C,in which the scrollable list B30 is show in a vertical format.

In FIG. 11C, the center of the scrollable list B30 is displayed on theposition B20 where the touch locates, in which the scrollable list B30is configured to be scrolled for selecting a target contact. Meanwhile,the user remains the touch on the touch-display module 812 and movestoward the top of the touch-display module 812. In the presentembodiment, the movement of the contact icons in the scrollable list B30is in an opposite direction of the movement corresponding to the touch.

Accordingly, in FIG. 11D, the central contact icon of the scrollablelist B30 becomes the contact icon B11 due to the movement of the touch.In other words, the target contact icon becomes the contact icon B11. Inthe present embodiment, the scrollable list B30 also includes contacticons B17 and B18, in which each contact icon B17 and B18 corresponds toa contact or a group of contacts.

At last, since the touch display panel 812 senses that the touch isreleased by the user, the touch display panel 812 displays a contactwindow corresponding to the target contact icon, i.e., contact icon B11,as shown in FIG. 11E.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12E, a series of operation flow diagrams of theelectronic device 800 according to one embodiment of this disclosure areillustrated. In the present embodiment, the display module 808 and thetouch-sensitive module 806 are also integrated into a touch displaypanel 812.

In FIG. 12A, the touch display panel 812 displays a plurality of contacticons C11-C16, and the touch display panel 812 is configured to senseone or more touches. In the present embodiment, when the touch displaypanel 812 senses a touch on the contact icon C13, the touch displaypanel displays a chat window as shown in FIG. 12B.

In FIG. 12B, the touch display panel 812 displays the chat windowcorresponding to the contact icon C13. The touch display panel 812senses a touch on a position 520 of the touch display panel 812, and theprocessing module 802 of the electronic device 800 begins counting atime duration of the touch on the position 520 of the touch displaypanel 812. When the time duration of the touch on the position 520exceeds the first predetermined time period, the chat window shown inFIG. 12B is dimmed, and a scrollable list 530 is shown as in FIG. 12C,in which the scrollable list A30 is show in a horizontal format.

As shown in FIG. 12C, the center of the scrollable list 530 is displayedat the center of the touch display panel 812. Meanwhile, the userremains the touch on the touch-display module 812 and moves toward theright of the touch-display module 812. In the present embodiment, themovement of the contact icons in the scrollable list 530 is in a samedirection of the movement corresponding to the touch.

Accordingly, in FIG. 12D, the contact icon at the center of thescrollable list 520 becomes the contact icon C11 due to the movement ofthe touch on the touch display module 812. In other words, the targetcontact icon becomes the contact icon C11.

At last, in FIG. 12E, since the touch display panel 812 senses that thetouch is released by the user, the touch display panel 812 displays acontact window corresponding to the target contact icon, i.e., contacticon C14.

The display switching methods mentioned in embodiments may take the formof a program code stored on a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. Any suitablestorage medium (such as non-transitory medium) may be used includingnon-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM), programmable readonly memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), andelectrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) devices;volatile memory such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), and double data rate random access memory(DDR-RAM); optical storage devices such as compact disc read onlymemories (CD-ROMs) and digital versatile disc read only memories(DVD-ROMs); and magnetic storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDD)and floppy disk drives.

Based on the aforesaid embodiments, the operation of the electronicdevice and the display switching method does not only become moreintuitional but also requires fewer steps for sending the message.

Although the present disclosure has been described in considerabledetail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodimentsare possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claimsshould not be limited to the description of the embodiments containedherein.

Based on the aforesaid embodiments, the operation of the electronicdevice and the display switching method does not only become moreintuitional but also requires fewer steps for switching between the chatwindows.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure of the presentinvention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present inventioncover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: at least oneprocessor; a display module; a touch-sensitive module; a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising one or more sequences ofinstructions to be executed by the processor for performing a method,comprising: sensing a touch by the touch-sensitive module; counting atime duration of the touch; displaying a list of at least one contacticon by the display module when the time duration of the touch exceeds afirst predetermined time period, wherein the list is scrollable forselecting a target icon of the at least one icon, and each iconcorresponds to a contact or a group of contacts; and displaying a targetchat window corresponding to the target icon.
 2. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the method is suitable for the electronic devicewhen the display module displays an original chat window correspondingto one of the at least one icon.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the step of displaying the list of at least one contact iconfurther comprises: displaying the list of at least one contact icon whenthe touch-sensitive module senses that the touch is continuous on thetouch-sensitive module, and when the time duration of the touch exceedsthe first predetermined time period.
 4. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the step of displaying the target chat window furthercomprises: displaying the target chat window corresponding to the targeticon when the touch-sensitive module senses that the touch is released.5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the list is shown in avertical format, a horizontal format, a diagonal format or a matrixformat.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the list isscrollable in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, a diagonaldirection or a 2-dimensional direction.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the icon corresponds to a frequent contact, a frequentgroup of contacts, a recent contact, a recent group of contacts, afavorite contact or a favorite group of contacts.
 8. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein center of the list is displayed at the centerof the display module, on a first position of the display modulecorresponding where the touch is first sensed or on a second position ofthe display module corresponding to where the touch is sensed when thetime duration of the touch is equal to the first predetermined timeperiod.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a screen of thedisplay module is divided into a plurality of intervals along a2-dimensional direction, and the list is scrolled according to themovement of the touch across the intervals.
 10. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the list is scrolled automatically in a certain speed.11. A display switching method, suitable for an electronic device,comprising: sensing a touch by a touch-sensitive module of theelectronic device; counting a time duration of the touch; displaying alist of at least one contact icon by a display module of the electronicdevice when the time duration of the touch exceeds a first predeterminedtime period, wherein the list is scrollable for selecting a target iconof the at lease one icon, and each icon corresponds to a contact or agroup of contacts; and displaying a target chat window corresponding tothe target icon.
 12. The display switching method of claim 11, whereinthe method is suitable for the electronic device when the display moduledisplays an original chat window corresponding to one of the at leastone icon.
 13. The display switching method of claim 11, wherein the stepof displaying the list of at least one contact icon further comprises:displaying the list of at least one contact icon when thetouch-sensitive module senses that the touch is continuous on thetouch-sensitive module, and when the time duration of the touch exceedsthe first predetermined time period.
 14. The display switching method ofclaim 11, wherein the step of displaying the target chat window furthercomprises: displaying the target chat window corresponding to the targeticon when the touch-sensitive module senses that the touch is released.15. The display switching method of claim 11, wherein the list is shownin a vertical format, a horizontal format, a diagonal format or a matrixformat.
 16. The display switching method of claim 11, wherein the listis scrollable in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction or a2-dimensional direction.
 17. The display switching method of claim 11,wherein the at least one icon corresponds to a frequent contact or groupof contacts, or to a recent contact or group of contacts.
 18. Thedisplay switching method of claim 11, wherein center of the list isdisplayed at the center of the display module, on a first position wherethe touch is first sensed or on a second position where the touch issensed when the time duration of the touch is equal to the firstpredetermined time period.
 19. The display switching method of claim 11,wherein a screen of the display module is divided into a plurality ofintervals along a 2-dimensional direction, and the list is scrolledaccording to the movement of the touch across the intervals.
 20. Thedisplay switching method of claim 11, wherein the list is scrolledautomatically in a certain speed.